'Every line of serious work that I have written since 1936 has been written, directly or indirectly, against totalitarianism and for democratic Socialism as I understand it'. Thus wrote Orwell following his experiences as a militiaman in the Spanish Civil War, chronicled in Homage to Catalonia. Here he brings to bear all the force of his humanity, passion and clarity, describing with bitter intensity the bright hopes and cynical betrayals of that chaotic episode: the revolutionary euphoria of Barcelona, the courage of ordinary Spanish men and women he fought alongside, the terror and confusion of the front, his near-fatal bullet wound and the vicious treachery of his supposed allies.

A firsthand account of the brutal conditions of the Spanish Civil War, George Orwell's Homage to Catalonia includes an introduction by Julian Symons in Penguin Modern Classics.

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Synopsis

'Every line of serious work that I have written since 1936 has been written, directly or indirectly, against totalitarianism and for democratic Socialism as I understand it'. Thus wrote Orwell following his experiences as a militiaman in the Spanish Civil War, chronicled in "Homage to Catalonia". Here he brings to bear all the force of his humanity, passion and clarity, describing with bitter intensity the bright hopes and cynical betrayals of that chaotic episode.

About the Author

Eric Arthur Blair (1903-1950), better known by his pen-name, George Orwell, was born in India, where his father worked for the Civil Service. An author and journalist, Orwell was one of the most prominent and influential figures in twentieth-century literature. His unique political allegory Animal Farm was published in 1945, and it was this novel, together with the dystopia of Nineteen Eighty-Four (1949), which brought him world-wide fame. His novels and non-fiction include Burmese Days, Down and Out in Paris and London, The Road to Wigan Pier and Homage to Catalonia.

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Never use a metaphor, simile or other figure of speech that you are used to seeing in printNever use a long word where a short one will doIf it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out.Never use the passive where you can use the activeNever use a foreign phrase, a scientific word or a jargon word if you can think of an everyday English equivalentBreak any of these rules sooner than say anything outright barbarous

These rules pretty much describe Orwell's own writing style, which is simple and straightforward, yet elegant and engaging. He was a man who lived a very full and somewhat eccentric life, giving up a career in the Burmese police force to wander around Britain as a Tramp and to live in poverty in Paris. He was very connected to working people and so understandably was drawn to the socialist side against Franco's Fascists in the Spanish Civil War (1936-9).

This is a remarkably detailed account of an ordinary foot soldier's life in wartime - comparable to Robert Graves' `Goodbye to All That' about his time in the trenches in WW1. Orwell doesn't have the big picture of how the war is going or what the strategy is but can see the hopeless organisation and pitiful logistics of the Socialists. He's cold, hungry, ill clothed and badly armed but it's remarkable how cheerful he and his comrades remain. I would guess that this is an almost universal account of the nonsense of war from a soldier's point of view.

In the second part of the book he goes on leave to Barcelona and gives an account of the complex political rivalry between the socialist factions. As an account of the home front this is less successful as the political infighting seems ridiculously petty and un-affecting compared to the soldier's life. Eventually however the group to which Orwell belongs (POUM) losses the political fight and becomes a banned organisation so that he has to flee Spain to avoid arrest.

In many ways this is bang up-to-date - I can well believe that anti-government groups in, say, the Arab spring are very much like Orwell's socialists - fervent for their cause, but badly equipped and divided politically. To that extent this is a very modern book that has some universal truths about revolution and political change and which is well worth reading.

If you've read "1984" and "Animal Farm", and want more of the same author's superb prose, this book is worth your time. Non-fiction like "The Road to Wigan Pier", unlike that book this one focuses on a struggle outside Britain - the Spanish Civil War, a conflict that nowadays tends to be relegated to a footnote in history. So if you are unfamiliar with the events and participating factions, let George Orwell be your guide. His descriptions of his experiences (including a serious neck wound) are intentionally unsparing, and designed to strip away any glamour attached to war and highllight both the periodic brutality and routine squalor. Highly recommended.

I had to buy this again. I was 21 when I read this. Now, I'm 45. I'm a life long socialist and this book sums up perfectly how the left always fights itself more than the opposition. This is the book I always quote whenever the left turns in on itself (which is always!.) "My cause is more important than your cause etc." is pretty much the left. 70 odd years later, it's still the same lol. UK Labour party..are you watching! Classic book!

Contents. When looking for a book to read about the Spanish Civil War I found this with a comment it was well written.

I need some help to untangle the reasons for and progress of the war kafter seeing Michael Portillo introduce a series of programmes using old colour film footage on late night TV.

Yes, the book is clearly written as recommended by others although only reflects the early stages of the war as George Orwell managed to escape a Spanish prison. His descriptions of being shot are to me classic description and writing.

On reading about Stroud yesterday It appears George Orwell spent much time in a sanitorium in the town before his early death

I am usually not a fan of extra commentary written in books written by others but in this case the notes were helpful. Orwell also cautioned about others views of the war. I will bear this warning in mind.

Classic history of Spanish Civil War written before it finished. . It makes it clear that when we think of it as facist versus Communist we have got it wrong. At this distance and without a background study the political complexities are difficult to follow. BUT the story of one man caught up in revolution and the day to day events of life at the front line make engrossing reading and this edition has taken the two chapters explaining the political complexities and turned them into appendices.In the light of the recent events at the G6 in Germany its worth being reminded that the Anarchists, who are not Communists; were at the heart of the Spanish Government.